Results 34,241-34,260 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for spending so much time in going through the Bill and tabling amendments. I am sorry I am in the position of having to put through legislation so quickly because it does not allow me to accept amendments that might be accepted on Committee Stage in the normal process. That speaks to the Senator's comments yesterday about why we should not bring forward legislation so...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is slightly different from that raised in the amendments. The licence belongs to the Minister, as the legislation states; it is issued to an operator and cannot be sold or transferred. It can happen that the business to which it is attached will be sold or transferred. Legally, however, the licence remains the property of the Minister. The amendment is not necessary....

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: That is correct.

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: In general, I agree with Senator Barrett's comments on European attitudes to road haulage in particular. It is very much the view of the core European countries in particular that for environmental and other reasons we should push freight off the road and back onto the railways and canals. That is good policy and it would make sense that we would do that for many reasons, but it may not be...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Senator is right to say there was much heat in the Dáil on this issue last week. I do not propose to rehearse those arguments. I will deal with the amendment on its merits and not on any other basis. Unfortunately, the Senator seems not to understand the Bill. It requires that someone who has been convicted of one of these offences notify the Minister that he or she has such a...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads and bridges are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The purpose of the driver licensing regime is to ensure that people who drive on our roads reach a minimum level of knowledge and skills necessary to drive safely. In most cases, drivers improve as they gain experience. Unfortunately, not all licensed drivers behave responsibly. It is therefore necessary to have in place legal mechanisms whereby drivers who behave in a seriously...

Written Answers — Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As requested by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the comprehensive spending review, my Department reviewed the planned transport capital programme under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in accordance with funding parameters set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order to propose a revised programme for inclusion in a new capital programme for...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The 9 projects submitted to the National Roads Authority by Sligo County Council for consideration for funding under the 2012 Specific Improvement Grants Scheme are outlined in the following table. All councils were asked to list their proposals in priority order and this table reflects the order of the projects as submitted by Sligo County Council. Project 2012 Allocation Requested R294...

Written Answers — Railway Stations: Railway Stations (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The issues referred to by the Deputy are operational day-to-day matters for Iarnród Eireann. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Eireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The friendliness and hospitality of our people is one of the unique selling points of the Irish holiday experience. Tourism Ireland's extensive marketing campaigns overseas convey the warmth and wit of our people, as well as the fun and 'craic' that visitors will experience when they come to Ireland. Moreover, Fáilte Ireland provides a range of training and support programmes for tourism...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy may be aware, Fáilte Ireland provides and will continue to provide a range of business supports to the restaurant sector through its Client Services teams throughout the country. The support covers key areas including culinary workshops, support for front line staff in customer service, food service and menu promotion as well as finance, stock control, marketing, social media...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Disabled Persons Parking Permits are issued by two organisations, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI). The criteria under which these bodies decide whether to issue permits are established broadly under regulations and in more detail through Terms and Conditions for the Disabled Parking Scheme agreed between my Department and these...

Written Answers — Student Travel Cards: Student Travel Cards (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The Student Travelcard Scheme is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus, which jointly administer the scheme. Holders of the card are offered discounted travel on CIE services. My Department has no function in relation to the operation of these cards. As such, I have referred to Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus for further response. If the Deputy have not...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The breakdown of staff numbers as whole-time equivalents (WTE) in the former Department of Transport for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 together with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport number at 31 October 2011 are set out in the following table. The Department of Transport staff numbers increased in 2008 as a result of the transfer of functions inwards from the former Department...

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test (NCT). The award of the contract for carrying out the NCT and the criteria applying thereto is a matter for the RSA. Analysis of test outcomes by age of vehicle indicates that older cars are less likely to...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (29 Nov 2011)

Leo Varadkar: The RSA acted swiftly and proactively to address the issues raised in the programme to which the Deputy refers. Seven staff were suspended immediately, of which three were subsequently dismissed. Further investigations resulted in the dismissal of three additional members of staff. Whilst any process that results in loss of employment is disappointing, it demonstrates that, given evidence...